BY Michelle Madzudzo/Daniel Mckenzie The fight against cancer still exists in the shadow of COVID-19. Being in a COVID-19 pandemic does not keep cancer at bay. As we continue to endeavour in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, we at Talk Cancer Zim and Kidzcan Zimbabwe continue in the fight against cancer. Today is the international childhood cancer day, Kidzcan fight cancer and Zimbabwe, let’s talk about cancer! Many people are of the misconception that cancer is a disease of the elderly but are you aware that children can get cancer and their lives matter too. In every three minutes somewhere a child is diagnosed with cancer Background to International Childhood Cancer Day International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families. The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges impacting childhood cancer and the survivors. It also spotlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere. ICCD encourages individuals and organisations to stand up and speak out for kids with cancer, survivors of cancer, and their families. It is a call for solidarity in action: joining voices, connecting forces, and bringing together different initiatives that respond to the needs of children and adolescents with cancer, their families and survivors. What really causes childhood cancer The real cause of childhood cancer is still a mystery. Many parent’s wonder what caused their child’s cancer. They may fear that something they did or did not do caused the disease. As far as we know, nothing that you or your child did caused or could have prevented the cancer. Scientists are working to find the causes of cancer in children. For now, we do not know the exact cause of most childhood cancer. Many contributors are suspected including genetic predisposition, exposure to certain toxins or chemicals, prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays, and radiation. Are there any signs and symptoms? The following signs and symptoms are suggestive of childhood cancer and the earlier your child gets a diagnosis the better the treatment outcome and the higher the chances for survival. Enlarged head An unusual lump or swelling on the body) Swelling (unusual swelling or abnormal mass) Listlessness (a high temperature that won’t come down, sudden weight loss, poor appetite) Pallor — unexplained paleness and loss of energy Changes in the eye or vision (white spot in the pupil, sudden squinting, bulging eyeball, blindness) Unexplained bruising or bleeding (persistent bleeding or development of purple marks indicating bleeding underneath the skin) Difficulty balancing when walking Frequent headaches (often with early morning vomiting) Personality changes ( behaviour or development) Aching bones (especially the long bones, joints or back, or fractures that happen easily) An ongoing pain in one area